This is the 20th year that Floor Covering Weekly delivers its Annual Statistical Report of the size and scope of the flooring industry. Twenty years ago, we were the only ones to bring accurate, vetted data to the industry at large — the only others who had access to this kind of information were large companies, mostly manufacturers, who had to pay for it. Today, you have access to some of the exact same data they do.

Back then, no one could say with any accuracy — outside of their own small world and product segment — the size or scope of the market. Certainly, there was no consensus as each manufacturer had its own point of view. Too often, those manufacturer’s views were colored by their own limitations — the market segments they served, even down to the actual products they made, and, of course, their own competitive issues.

Today, those same limitations exist. And while conversations with leading manufacturers and executives is part of our process for understanding the changes in the market, guesses about market size — even educated guesses — are simply insufficient.

Instead, we stick to primary data — quantifiable numbers that are tracked, updated and revised by the U.S. government through various agencies. We understand that anecdotal information is by its very nature inaccurate and incomplete. While it does have its place, it is really only through disciplined research and a thorough and unbiased understanding of the market that you can get any reliable data.

For our numbers, we turn to Catalina Research, a professional research organization that is recognized as one of the industry’s leading sources.

Once we have reliable data, we look to Jonathan Trivers and his marketWise report to help make further sense of it all. In marketWise, Trivers gives us a different and unique view of what the industry looks like from the outside — where products are sold, the forces driving retail and changes in the market.

As a result of these efforts, we are able to bring to you what is unequivocally the industry’s best data and market analysis. We spend a lot of time, money and effort in getting this information to you, but as far as we’re concerned, you deserve no less.

In these times, more than ever, solid information is critical for our readers and for this industry. The truth is that nothing less than our very survival depends on it. Armed with accurate data, key insights about the dramatic changes happening throughout all channels, combined with a thorough understanding of the dynamics behind the numbers and maybe you have a chance. Otherwise, you’d just be guessing. And when your job, your business and your family’s future is on the line, guessing is just not good enough. You deserve better.